Three taken to hospital after ‘chemical incident’ at school

By Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association

Three people were taken to hospital following a “chemical incident” at a school in County Derry

Emergency services were called to Coleraine Grammar School at 4.15 pm on Tuesday.

A statement from the school said there were no pupils on site at the time.

No pupils were on site due to the Easter holiday and three members of staff were advised to attend hospital

The school statement said: “There has been a chemical incident at Coleraine Grammar School which resulted in hazardous gases being released in a confined area.

“No pupils were on site due to the Easter holiday and three members of staff were advised to attend hospital.

“The ambulance, fire and police service attended, and the situation is fully under control.

“The school is working proactively with the emergency services to ensure a full clean-up takes place as soon as possible.”

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it sent six fire appliances to the scene.

A statement said: “Firefighters were called to reports of a chemical incident at a premises on Castlerock Road, Coleraine.

“Firefighters utilised breathing apparatus, hose reel jets and gas monitoring equipment to ensure a safe resolution of the incident.

“Three casualties were left in the care of Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and conveyed to hospital.

“Firefighters began departing the scene from 7.50pm.”